Tag Archives: Oprah Network

I’ve always been FASCINATED by the patterns created on the surface of water when something breaks through that first layer of water tension.

I’m talking about those CONCENTRIC CIRCLES that form when you drop a pebble into a pond.

LIFE works the SAME WAY. One single action or event will begin a pattern that ripples outward.

For example, in early December of 2011 (yes, that would be LAST YEAR), I received a call from John Kretzschmar, Founder/Publisher/Editor of The Valley Meteor (www.valleymeteor.com), a locally owned and operated paper for the community of Valley East.

Kretzschmar interviewed me for the December issue of the paper. In the article, he graciously recommended my book, The Beginner’s Guide to Chick Night, as a gift for out-of-town friends and family members.

We had a great conversation. In addition to the interview, Kretzschmar and I discussed the career paths that had led him to start a newspaper and me to write my first book.

Don’t you LOVE finding out HOW people got from “there” to “here”?

One week later, I took a call from Tamara Ischenko, Reporter for CTV Sudbury. (www.northernontario.ctv.ca)

She wanted to do an interview in my home. When she and her videographer, Terry arrived, we sat in my kitchen and talked about ways for women to enjoy the holiday season – even if they are HOSTING the “main event”.

Off-camera, we had a great chat about Christmas prep and about our children. What a nice way to spend a morning!

The very NEXT day, I received a call from Charlene Peck, Special Publications Editor with the Parry Sound North Star. (www.cottagecountrynow.ca)

She was interested in doing a story on my book. We talked about it and about ways for moms to reduce holiday stress.

While we were chatting, Peck mentioned that she was originally from Stoney Creek and had chosen to live in Parry Sound. I told her that I had moved to Northern Ontario after growing up in Toronto.

In comparing our experiences, we discovered HOW MUCH we have in common.

Within two weeks, the ripple effect had moved from LOCAL community paper to MUNICIPAL tv station to REGIONAL newspaper.

Just like the surface of a pond, it didn’t stop there…

One week after VERY EXCITEDLY (I distinctly recall jumping for joy) opening an email from Kent Mannen, Producer of CTV Morning Live in Ottawa, I found myself sitting in their George Street studio on Wednesday, December 28th being interviewed by Host, Lianne Laing.

What a FABULOUS experience! Hosts Lianne Laing, Kurt Stoodley and Jeff Hopper went out of their way to make me feel welcome. For that, I am equally grateful!

By the way, under the “It’s a Small World” category…not only did Jeff Hopper and I take the same Radio Broadcasting course at Humber College in Toronto (he was there a “few” years after I was) but one of the women in MY class, Louann Nicholson, was later one of HIS instructors!

CTV Morning Live in Ottawa was my first PROVINCIAL (and thanks to the wonders of satellite tv) also NATIONAL tv interview.

How fitting that it took place in Ottawa, our nation’s capital.

Prior to the interview, Laing and I had a chance to talk about our children and the ways in which we make sure to stay connected with our girlfriends.

I was “preaching to the choir” with Laing. She GETS it!

Since that interview found its way to YouTube, I’ve had lots of great feedback. Of all the comments, perhaps my favourite was from my seven-year-old nephew, Brett.

He asked me why I “didn’t look at him” during the interview. I will tell you the same thing I told him. Just before the interview started, the host very politely asked me to look at HER instead of at the camera – a perfectly logical request considering the fact that we were having a conversation.

As I sit here on Day Three of 2012, I wonder where the ripple will go NEXT.

It’s a brand new year. I’m aiming for the ELLEN Show and the OPRAH Network. What are you going to do with YOURS?

What are YOU planning to ACCOMPLISH?

What do YOU want to EXPERIENCE?

Who do YOU want to MEET?

Make your plans and follow your dreams.

If you need any coaxing, DOWNLOAD a FREE chapter of my book. The link is in the top right-hand corner of this page.